Unfinished Business - a Halloween horror story
28 Oct 2026
"Harold was a careful man.
He had a Will, a tidy filing cabinet and a system for everything.
In his Will, he named his daughter, Jane, as his executor.
He just never told her.
When Harold died, Jane was already coping with the grief of losing her dad. Then a solicitor's letter arrived, and she learned she was responsible for dealing with his estate.
She didn't know where to begin.
Harold's paperwork was neat, but it wasn't complete. There were bank accounts she'd never heard of, an old pension he'd mentioned once and a folder of bills with no explanation.
Every question led to another question.
Which accounts were still open?
Who needed to be told?
What did her dad actually own?
Weeks turned into months.
Jane spent her evenings searching through drawers and making phone calls, trying to piece together a life she thought she knew.
Harold's wishes were clear.
The way to carry them out wasn't.
Long after the funeral, the business he'd left behind was still unfinished, and it was Jane who had to finish it."
The lesson
Having a Will is a great first step, but it isn't the only thing that matters.
Someone will need to deal with your estate after you die. That person is called your executor, and they're the one named in your Will to carry out your wishes.
What does an executor do?
Being an executor can involve:
- Finding and securing your assets
- Paying any debts, bills and taxes
- Applying for probate, where it's needed
- Sharing your estate out as set out in your Will
It's a big responsibility, and it often lands at an already difficult time.
How can you make it easier for your executors?
A few simple steps can make a real difference:
- Choose people you trust, and check they're happy to take on the role
- Let them know they've been named
- Make sure they know where your Will is kept
- Keep a clear, up to date record of your assets and accounts
What is Probate?
Probate is the legal process of dealing with someone's estate after they die. Depending on the estate, it can take time and involve a lot of paperwork.
Not sure what would happen without a Will? You can read our blog 'What happens if you die without a Will?' to find out more here.
Don't leave your loved ones to finish your business!
Harold had a Will, but he left Jane to find her own way through everything else.
A professionally prepared Will can help you choose your executors and set out your wishes clearly, so the people you leave behind know what to do and where to start.
Want to put a Will in place?
Our Wills, Trusts and Probate team at Sort Legal can help you put a legally valid Will in place and think through who you'd want to deal with your estate.
Get in touch with our team today and discover your options.
Telephone: 0333 323 1091
Email: wtp@sortlegal.co.uk